News article

Police spot driving offences from double decker bus in Plymouth

Two Plymouth police officers, PC Andy Llewellyn and PC Colin Strachan, have come up with an innovative approach to spotting drivers who are exhibiting the “fatal five” driving offences.

On Friday 24th March 2017, police officers and cadets took their seats on the upper deck of a double decker bus, kindly supplied by Plymouth Citybus, giving them the perfect eagle-eye view of drivers in their vehicles.

Marked and unmarked police vehicles then responded to any offences that were spotted by the loftily positioned police spotters. Officers from Dorset’s No Excuse campaign also took part in the operation.

The operation concentrated on drivers using phones and other mobile devices handheld while driving. Using a mobile device handheld while driving has been illegal since 2003, and since March 1st the penalties for doing so have doubled to a £200 fine and six points on the driver’s license.

PC Andy Llewellyn said: “This is a great example of how we can maximise policing resources by working closely with partner organisations in the community. We are extremely grateful to Plymouth Citybus for providing us with a bus and driver for this operation.

“Additionally we have had great support from inside the Force from the Alliance roads policing team, professional development unit, Special Constabulary, response officers and the Police Cadets.”

The five driving offences which can lead to a serious or fatal collision are, as above, using a mobile device handheld and also excessive speed, drink or drug driving, not wearing seatbelts and careless driving.

PC Llewellyn said: “Careless and inconsiderate driving is something that people may not recognise as a fatal factor. In Plymouth and across the force area we are looking to address this and the other driving behaviours in the fatal five to improve road safety awareness.”

Plymouth Citybus added: “Being the largest transport operation in Plymouth, our passenger safety is our number one priority. We are glad that we can support this innovative approach to driving offences on our roads. This is one of a long line of moves we have made to make the roads of Plymouth a safer place for all users.”

The operation continues on the morning and afternoon of Saturday 25th March 2017